Bringing Down the Bolt

Lightning is one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the atmospheric sciences, researchers say. Scientists at the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing in Florida are inducing lightning to strike so they can understand it better.Video footage courtesy of Martin Uman, University of Florida and Tom A. Warner, ztresearch.com. Cover photo by Tom Warner. Produced by Flora Lichtman

Connecting Weather and Climate to Society

Some key points to consider:

Over the 21st century, climate scientists expect Earth's temperature to continue increasing, very likely more than it did during the 20th century.

These changes will affect almost every aspect of human society, including economic prosperity, human and environmental health, and national security.

Scientific observations and climate model results indicate that human activities are now the primary cause of most of the ongoing increase in Earth's globally averaged surface temperature.

Climate change will bring economic and environmental challenges as well as opportunities, and citizens who have an understanding of climate science will be better prepared to respond to both.

Climate change will continue to be a significant element of public discourse. Understanding the essential principles of climate science will enable all people to assess news stories and contribute to their everyday conversations as informed citizens.

Polar Visions

Polar Visions is an exciting, visually stunning film by Ryan Vachon, about the causes and effects of climate change in polar regions. The film contains seven stand-alone segments appropriate for use in all kinds of science classrooms and informal settings from the middle level through college, and was developed to align with the National Science Education Standards across all science subjects.

Arctic Climate Perspectives

Watch the Iñupiaq people who live in Barrow present their observations about climate change based on their centuries-old knowledge of their environment, and describe how these changes are already affecting their lives. Scientists who have come to Barrow to study climate change also offer their perspective. Text and Image courtesty of Teachers' Domain, Arctic Climate Perspectives